Page 3197 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 20 August 2019
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The government is proud that the CIT is providing 72 per cent of all apprenticeship-based training. It is at the forefront of responding to training needs in innovative ways to meet skills demand in both emerging and traditional markets. Skills shortages across the country continue to drive the demand for a high quality VET sector. There is increased pressure on VET providers to meet government and community expectations.
Through the budget, the government is strengthening the position of the CIT as the primary VET provider in the ACT by modernising and supporting its facilities. The CIT will continue to deliver new offerings to provide skills critical to industry success and to support an adaptive and modern workforce.
The budget invests $2.9 million over two years to construct nearly 15,000 square metres of new teaching and learning spaces at the CIT in Fyshwick. This investment will be delivered in two stages over two years to minimise the impact on current teaching operations. In the coming fiscal year, funding will be provided for preliminary scoping, planning and consultation works.
Stage 1 of the works, to commence in July 2020 and be completed by April 2021, involves the creation of a 550 square metre new workshop space over two floors and the relocation of equipment from traditional classrooms into the new workshop spaces. Stage 2, which will commence in July 2021 and be completed by December of that year, involves an around 900 square metre new open plan workshop space being constructed.
The budget also invests $5.5 million in capital funding over two years to enable the CIT to implement a contemporary and sustainable ICT environment for staff and students. This will greatly enhance the digital learning experience for students and provide staff with access to contemporary ICT functionality. The funding will also enable the CIT to modernise the wireless network capability and infrastructure to allow the full realisation of CIT’s digital transformation, which was a key pillar of the organisation’s strategic compass 2020.
These investments, together with what the government announced in June, will see scoping studies undertaken to look at further opportunities to renew CIT Reid. The current Reid campus has served the ACT community well for the past 60 years. The needs of students and educators in an evolving VET sector have changed. As part of the institute’s broader modernisation strategy, the government is investigating options for the location of a new dedicated facility. This includes exploring the potential for Reid CIT to be relocated to the Woden town centre. The reasons for this would be to deliver a major new educational hub on Canberra’s south side, near a future light rail route, while also contributing to the ongoing urban renewal of the Woden town centre. We will be working collaboratively with the CIT’s leadership, staff and students throughout this assessment process. We are currently seeking advice on possible sites within the Woden town centre.
CIT will continue to operate at its four other existing campuses across Canberra. We will continue to invest in ongoing upgrades at each of these, such as the examples I have given for CIT Fyshwick in this year’s budget.
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